Illinois farmer Jake Hubbard’s life changed when he lost his left arm in a farming accident in 2013. He had been fitted with a replacement prosthetic and was back at work, but considered the artificial arm more of a tool than a part of him.
But this changed when a local teacher approached Jake with an idea. He and his 8th grade students from Rochelle (Ill.) were so moved by Jake’s story that they decided to lend a hand. Using a 3D printer that the school purchased with a grant from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, the students and teacher enlisted the help of local residents and an engineer from Ohio, to research, design, and assemble a more lifelike prosthetic arm.
Now, Jake plans to use his new arm in social settings and with his family, which includes holding his 4-month-old baby boy.
The Grow Rural Education Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and supported by America’s Farmers, provides grants to rural public schools to engage and excite students around STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. To learn more go to www.americasfarmers.com.
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